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Common raven

Corvus corax · Crows · Migratory game birds

Common raven (Corvus corax): Much larger than crows: 56-69 cm, wingspan about 116-118 cm. Wedge-shaped tail, very thick bill and shaggy throat feathers. This profile does not establish whether taking it is legal anywhere.

Check rules for a place and dateOpen the common raven map

Certified rules currently represented in Hunt: coverage in development. This is coverage, not a legal answer.

Common raven — verified North Ground species photograph
Adobe Stock · Standard License (asset 142392001)
Scientific name
Corvus corax
Family
Corvidae
In North America
Native
Range
Resident from northernmost North America south to southern Baja California, Nicaragua and Texas, and east of the Rockies to southern Saskatchewan, northeastern Minnesota, northern Michigan and southern New England; also Greenland, Iceland and the Old World.
Biology

How to identify it

Much larger than crows: 56-69 cm, wingspan about 116-118 cm. [1][2]

Wedge-shaped tail, very thick bill and shaggy throat feathers. [1][2]

Deep, varied, guttural croaking; a hollow wonk-wonk. [1][2]

In the Southwest, compare to Chihuahuan Raven. [1][2]

Compared with the chihuahuan raven: Audubon says to compare it in the Southwest but gives no separating marks. [1][2]

Field notes

  • Identification Confirm a common raven before you act. Compared with the chihuahuan raven: Audubon says to compare it in the Southwest but gives no separating marks.[1][2]
Field knowledge

Where it lives

Boreal and mountain forests, coastal cliffs, tundra and desert; may also live on prairies if suitable nest sites such as cliffs are nearby. [1][2]

Field knowledge

How it behaves

Mostly a permanent resident; some wander in fall and winter south of the breeding range [1][2]

Typically forages in pairs, sometimes cooperating to flush prey; mostly forages on the ground [1][2]

Omnivorous opportunist: carrion, garbage, insects, rodents, lizards, frogs and eggs and young of other birds [1][2]

Regulatory handoff

Where it is listed for legal take

These authorities list this species for legal take in their own regulations.

Where legal take is listed

Being listed is not an open season. Seasons, zones, licences, methods and limits decide whether this animal may be taken on a given day and place — check Hunt or the authority before you go. Listings read 2026-09-30.

Geospatial intelligence

Where it is found

Resident from northernmost North America south to southern Baja California, Nicaragua and Texas, and east of the Rockies to southern Saskatchewan, northeastern Minnesota, northern Michigan and southern New England; also Greenland, Iceland and the Old World.

Biology

Sources

Every claim above is attributed to one of these published sources.

  1. National Audubon Society · reviewed 2026-09-30

    National Audubon Society

  2. NatureServe · reviewed 2026-09-30

    NatureServe